Long term health conditions local support
Expert Patient Programme
Living with long term conditions
On this free 6 week course you'll learn a range of self management techniques to help you manage your condition better.
The course can help you:
- develop more confidence and feel more control in your daily life
- learn how to deal with pain, tiredness and feelings of depression
- plan more relaxation, gentle exercise and healthy eating into your day
- meet others who share similar experiences
- learn how to develop more effective working and communication relationships with healthcare professionals, family and friends
- plan for the future
Each 2 hour 30 minute session is delivered in a welcoming and friendly environment by 2 trained volunteer tutors, who themselves live with long-term health conditions. The courses are available at a variety of local community locations across the Stockport area.
People who take the course have given great feedback on how it helps them cope with their symptoms. They say:
- "meeting up with people who have similar symptoms with their long term conditions has been excellent. It's lightened the load through shared experiences"
- "before I went on the course I used to suffer in silence, but this has really given me the confidence to take more care of myself. At the end of the 6 weeks I felt I could cope with anything. It's given me a new lease of life!"
- "I've already recommended the programme to others who are in a similar situation to me. I have used many of the hints and tips and am finding the things I have learnt are really helping"
- "I wasn’t sure this was for me before I attended, but this group is informative, compassionate, supportive and could be life changing"
If you would like to book a place on one of these courses or to find out more, call 0161 835 6689 and leave a message or email patienteducation@stockport.nhs.uk.
Wellbeing and Self Care Service
Viaduct Care’s wellbeing and self care service offers 1 to 1 and group support if you've been diagnosed with, or at risk of a long term health condition. It can help you better understand and look after your health.
Ask your GP for more information or for a referral. You can also refer yourself using Viaduct Care's online form.
Workwell in Stockport
Workwell is a free service designed to support people with mental health and physical health conditions or disabilities. The team can help you stay in work, or return to work if you've had to give up your job due to your health condition.
You can access Workwell if you are employed, self-employed, or recently unemployed and facing health related challenges to either remain in work or return to work.
To contact the team, you can:
- email workandskills@stockport.gov.uk
- call 07890 527 111
- visit the work and skills support webpages on the Stockport Council website
Stockport Triage, Assessment and Referral Team (START)
Offers free, confidential and local support to help you make healthy living changes if you want to:
- stop smoking
- eat a healthier diet and be a healthy weight
- get more active
- reduce how much alcohol you drink
- stop taking drugs
- feel more confident about making changes
Stockport LifeLeisure
Provides lots of opportunities to help you get more active, including:
- PARIS: a specialist exercise referral scheme
- Smile: low impact and gentle exercise if you live with a long term conditions
Stockport Support Hub
Stockport Support Hub brings together a range of support services that can help you live independently and well.
Your Support provides one to one support to help you make changes to improve your health and wellbeing and build your confidence
Community Support provides support to develop community activities. It can connect you and your family to:
- community activities
- groups
- peer support
- learning and volunteering opportunities
Home Support provides practical support to help you maintain your home environment. It can help you to make adaptations so you can live safely and independently in your own home. A specialist hoarding service is also available
Carers Support can support you if you care for someone that would struggle to manage without you because of:
- illness
- disability
- frailty
- a long-term condition, including mental illness or dementia
- addiction
Transport Support can provide transport if you are struggling to get to appointments and activities or struggling to use public transport.
Domestic Abuse Support can support you if you are affected by domestic abuse.
To access support yourself or to make a referral for somebody else:
- complete the referral form on the Stockport Support Hub website
- call 0161 474 1042
- text 07539 468 560 this text option is for people who are deaf or affected by hearing loss
If you’re not sure what help you need, talk to somebody from the Hub who can guide you to the right support.
NHS Stockport Talking Therapies
This service can help you deal with the effects of a long term health condition or chronic pain. They offer support and treatment if you're experiencing:
- difficulty sleeping
- low mood or depression
- stress
- worry and anxiety
DigiKnow
Use this service to help you get the most out of online services by helping you to improve your skills and confidence.
Stockport Live Well directory
An online directory where you can find help and support in your area:
- community groups
- services
- activities
- volunteering opportunities
Stockport Libraries
Stockport Libraries have lots of books to help support you in learning about your condition. You can find these in our general adult non-fiction collections.
Relaxing with a good book, eBook or audiobook can also help with your self care. Stockport Libraries have a wide selection available for all tastes.
For details of your local library, opening times, facilities, activities and the library catalogue, visit the Stockport Libraries webpage.